The media coverage of the just concluded Global Entrepreneurship Summit has been scrutinized and thoroughly criticized by a section of Kenyans for focusing on what most have termed as ‘sideshows’ as opposed to the core issues that were being addressed during the summit.
The GES summit which was held in the United Nations complex in Gigiri, Nairobi was a two day event that saw the convergence of entrepreneurs in various stages of business development. The gathering aimed to nurture entrepreneurship all over the globe. It brought together business investors, mentors and government officials all who had the keen interest of fostering Entrepreneurship.
The local media started airing events leading to the GES opening, from the arrival of the US president, Barack Obama, on the night of 24th July, right to the last day of the summit and his subsequent departure enroute to Adis Ababa, Ethiopia on Sunday 26th July, evening.
Kenyans on twitter became disgruntled accusing the media of putting too much focus on events surrounding the GES as opposed to the entrepreneurship discussions that were taking place. No holds were barred on Saturday evening as they expressed their disappointment on Twitter.
It appeared that part of the disappointment was fueled when one station stopped airing the speeches from young entrepreneurs and focus was instead shifted to the fleet of cars that were leaving the venue of the summit.
Using the hashtag #KenyanMediaFailure, Kenyans on Twitter gave their two cents for the perceived mediocrity in airing a monumental Global event. Issues that were pointed out as having gained unnecessary airtime included; the fleet of cars used by the US President, President Obama’s suit, The Airforce One airplane and where it “spent the night”, among others.
Here are some of the tweets that made the rounds under the #KenyanMediaFailure trending topic:
A whole article on where Air Force One spent the night. #Kenyanmediafailure pic.twitter.com/51w0x7EJSj
— Ory Okolloh Mwangi (@kenyanpundit) July 26, 2015
Live TV coverage was playing hide and seek with Obama’s motorcade instead of focusing on the value of #GES2015Kenya #kenyanmediafailure — Anthony Kagiri (@Tonykagiri) July 25, 2015
#KenyanMediaFailure trying to analyze secret service and the roads instead of the summit!
— muli (@muliulemmoja) July 25, 2015
@dennis_migono @AKenyanJourno next on the Big Q we myt see :Should Uhuru buy Airforce 1 n the beast? ? #KenyanMediaFailure — ömar (@Millionheir99) July 25, 2015
The GES summit is about entrepreneurship NOT the beast and its rider. #kenyanmediafailure
— Omwiti wa Mwiti (@omwiti) July 25, 2015
There were those who came out to defend the media:
Let’s give credit to where it’s due, Media have tried despite other factors being constant. https://t.co/3hc8vx49DO — Ike Kenneth (@IkeOjuok) July 25, 2015
#KenyanMediaFailure true meaning of double speak. Twitter has all been about Obama and now u blaming the media for giving u what u want
— Louis Oketch (@DjLorc) July 25, 2015
There was a voice from the media as well:
So #KenyaMediaFailure is trending huh??ok then..those with a problem go to Gigiri and give us your live feed..let’s see how that works…
— Kirigo Ng’arua 😉 (@KirigoNgarua) July 25, 2015